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CPCC Awarded $745,957 Grant from U.S. Department of Labor for the Center for Non-Destructive Examination Technology Training
last modified
2008-03-13 13:41
College Receives One of 69 Grants Awarded in 36 States
The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) will receive $745,957 from the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants. The funds will be used to establish the Center for Non-Destructive Examination Technology Training (NDE Center), a partnership of the Electric Power Research Institute, Duke Energy, regional community colleges, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and the local Workforce Development Boards. The College competed with 341 other institutions for these funds and is one of only 69 grants awarded in 36 states across the country, totaling $125 million.
Introduced by President Bush in his 2004 State of the Union address, Community-Based Job Training grants improve the ability of community colleges to provide their regions’ workers with the skills needed to enter growing industries. Community grants have been awarded in 2005, 2006 and 2008. North Carolina Congressional members including Representative Robin Hayes, Senator Richard Burr, Senator Elizabeth Dole, Representative Sue Myrick, and Representative Melvin Watt played a critical role in supporting the Community-Based Job Training grant program.
Introduced by President Bush in his 2004 State of the Union address, Community-Based Job Training grants improve the ability of community colleges to provide their regions’ workers with the skills needed to enter growing industries. Community grants have been awarded in 2005, 2006 and 2008. North Carolina Congressional members including Representative Robin Hayes, Senator Richard Burr, Senator Elizabeth Dole, Representative Sue Myrick, and Representative Melvin Watt played a critical role in supporting the Community-Based Job Training grant program.
NDE plays a critical role in keeping our world safe by testing welds on airplanes, trains, bridges, and nuclear power plants. “It’s important for us to look at aging infrastructures,” states Dr. Tony Zeiss, President of CPCC. “The Non-Destructive Examination program trains individuals to prioritize the infrastructure needs in each community. We’re excited to be the first community college in this region to offer NDE training, and we’re extremely pleased to be a recipient of the President’s Community-Based Job Training grant. These funds will allow us to take our training opportunities in NDE to the next level.”
CPCC’s grant will be used to expand course offerings of the Non-Destructive Examination program, strengthen student’s math and science skills for high technology careers, and provide scholarships for high school students and incumbent workers. CPCC’s NDE program was started at the College’s Harper Campus in 2007 to train NDE technicians whose skills are vital to the safety of our cities and communities. NDE is a form of examining materials without damaging the intended usefulness of the component. Unlike destructive examination, where the part is destroyed as a part of the examination, NDE methods are applied to find hidden indications of potential flaws.
For more information on the recent grant announcement by the U.S. Department of Labor, logon to http://www.doleta.gov/whatsnew/new_releases/2008-03-11.cfm. For more information on the Non-Destructive Examination program at CPCC, check out our website at http://www1.cpcc.edu/ndet.
CPCC is the largest community college in North Carolina, offering 100 degree and certification programs, customized corporate training, market-focused continuing education, and special interest classes. CPCC is academically, financially and geographically accessible to all citizens of Mecklenburg County. In 2002, the National Alliance of Business named CPCC the Community College of the Year for its response to the workforce and technology needs of local employers and job seekers through innovative educational and training strategies.